President & CEO

The Opportunity: Our partner is seeking a President & CEO to lead one of its manufacturing businesses in the Chicago metro area. The company has an established foundation: loyal customers, a skilled workforce, and a reputation built over years of doing things the right way. The next chapter is about growth. This is an organic growth mandate. The business doesn't need a turnaround artist or a financial engineer. It needs a builder with a sales mentality: a leader who wins customers, opens new markets, and creates a culture where everyone understands their role in growing the business. The right leader will have full authority to run the company, the backing of patient capital, and a meaningful ownership stake in the value they create.

What You'll Do: Strategy & Leadership Own full P&L responsibility and set the strategic direction of the business Develop and execute a multi-year growth plan in partnership with ownership Serve as the face of the company to customers, employees, suppliers, and the community Lead capital allocation decisions, including investments in capacity, equipment, technology, and people Revenue Growth Drive organic top-line growth as the company's chief seller Deepen and expand relationships with existing customers; grow share of wallet Identify and win new customers, verticals, and geographic markets Build or rebuild the sales function, including talent, process, pipeline discipline, compensation, and CRMStrengthen pricing strategy and margin management Personally lead key customer relationships and strategic pursuits Operations Ensure the operational backbone can support growth: capacity, throughput, quality, safety, and on-time delivery Drive continuous improvement across manufacturing, supply chain, and procurement Modernize systems and reporting where needed without losing what makes the business work People & Culture Build, develop, and retain a high-performing leadership team Honor the culture and legacy of the business while raising the bar on accountability and performance Create a workplace where top talent wants to stay and grow Develop a succession bench beneath the leadership team Financial Stewardship Partner with finance leadership on budgeting, forecasting, and KPI management Report performance to ownership with transparency and candor Manage working capital and cash flow with discipline Your First 12–18 Months Learn the business deeply: customers, employees, operations, and financials Build trust with the team and key customers Assess the leadership team and sales organization; make the necessary talent moves Deliver a clear, ownership-aligned growth strategy Establish sales process, pipeline visibility, and a cadence of KPIsShow early momentum in new customer wins and revenue growth

What You Bring: Experience 10+ years of progressive leadership experience, including P&L ownership as a President, CEO, GM, or division head Background in manufacturing, industrial products, or a related B2B environment strongly preferredA proven track record of driving organic revenue growth, not just managing costs Experience in lower-middle-market, founder-led, family-owned, or privately held businesses Experience building or transforming a sales organization Leadership QualitiesA seller at heart; you enjoy being in front of customers and closing business Hands-on and low-ego; equally comfortable on the shop floor, in a customer meeting, and in the boardroomA builder's mindset with a long-term orientation Strong financial acumen; you understand how the business makes money and where it can make moreA talent magnet who attracts, develops, and retains strong people High integrity and genuine respect for the legacy of founder-built businesses Clear, direct communicator with ownership, employees, and customers Education & Location Bachelor's degree required; MBA or equivalent experience a plus Based in the Chicago metro area or willing to relocate Compensation & Ownership This role is built for an operator who wants to share in the value they create. Competitive base salary Annual performance bonus tied to growth and profitability Equity options in the business Co-investment rights alongside the firm in future investments Operating Partner pathway: for the right candidate, an opportunity to grow into a broader Operating Partner role supporting the firm's portfolio and future acquisitions Comprehensive benefits package Why This Role Is Different Most CEO roles come with a clock: a three-to-five-year hold, a sale process, and a new owner with a new playbook. This one comes with a runway. Permanent capital: no forced exit, no short-term pressure to flip Real authority: you run the company; ownership supports, not micromanages Real ownership: equity and co-invest rights that let you build personal wealth alongside the firm Room to grow: a path beyond one company into a broader operating partner role Proven partner: a long-standing track record of building successful businesses If you want to actually build something, own a piece of it, and be part of a firm with a long history of success, this is the modern path.

Hiring Process: Initial conversation with Flying Horse Capital Interviews with the partner firm's leadership Site visit and meetings with the company's team